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One run helps FLC sprint past Adams State

A few mistakes here, a few missed shots there, and Adams State found itself on the wrong end of a blowout at the hands of the Fort Lewis College womens basketball team.

The Skyhawks held the Grizzlies without a field goal for 7 minutes, 11 seconds in the second half, and big offensive performances from Katerina Garcia and Erika Richards paced FLC to a 66-46 win Saturday in Alamosa.

FLC (10-8, 9-5 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) had some trouble putting away a pesky Adams State team early in the second half, but after the Grizzlies (7-11, 4-10 RMAC) hit a field goal with 13 minutes, 53 seconds to play in regulation, FLC embarked on a 12-0 run over the next 7:11 to put what had been a close game out of reach.

I tell you what, there was a stretch in the second half where we played really well, FLC head coach Jason Flores said. We were locked in defensively on what we needed to do and had a great rhythm on offense. ... Definitely fun to be a part of when we start playing like that.

Garcia helped drag FLC out of some early doldrums, scoring 21 of the Skyhawks first 41 points, finishing with 21 to tie a career-high.

And as the Skyhawks began to run away from the Grizzlies, the scoring baton landed in Richards hands, and the junior guard did her best work down the stretch and finished with 19 points.

Their high-scoring nights helped FLC overcome the struggles of Ashley Kuchar and Christie Groh, who hit just 5 of 21 from the field. But despite a couple of uncharacteristic shooting nights, Flores said he was happy with the defensive effort.

She felt like she wasnt shooting great; she knew it, but she turned that into a good defensive effort, Flores said of Kuchar.

FLC held Adams State to 35-percent shooting and forced 24 turnovers.

Ann Pauly led Adams State with 11 points, and Kelly Hernandez had 10.

FLC will play Western New Mexico at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Silver City, N.M.